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“Really?” She beams. “That sounds perfect. And I have someone. I’ve actually decided not to work on the weekends anymore. I’ve really enjoyed having some time to myself. I think I buried myself under my work after Pete died, and it’s been nice finding a balance. I don’t want that to stop when the kids get home, so I’ve promoted two of my part-timers to full time, one of which is in culinary school and has wanted more hours. I’ve been meaning to do it so Lacey could cut back her hours. She only came on to help me after my grandma passed away.”
“That’s good,” I tell her. “That means we get you every weekend.” I waggle my brows, but she doesn’t react how I expect her to. Instead, she frowns.
“It won’t be able to be like that once the kids are home,” she says. “You know that, right?”
“Of course, we do,” I say. “But eventually, once the kids know about us, we’ll be able to all hang out.”
She nods wordlessly but doesn’t say anything.
“Hey.” I lean over and palm her cheek. “We’ll take things slowly. You’re a mom first, and we get that.” It’s one of the things I love about her. How much she loves her kids. I can’t wait to meet them and see her with them, but I know it’ll take some time. She’s worried about how they’ll react to her moving forward and the fact that she cares enough to be worried only proves how good of a mom she is.
“Damn right we do,” Brody agrees. “And when you’re ready for us to meet them, we’ll be here.”
She smiles softly. “Thanks for understanding.”
We finish eating, and then Brody and I work together to do the dishes and clean the kitchen while Bree video chats with her kids. I’m drying a pan when my phone goes off with a text from my sister: I can’t believe you seriously left. I didn’t take you for a quitter.
I roll my eyes at her lack of compassion. Not that it shocks me.
Me: Look at the bright side. Now Dad has no choice but to give you the CEO position.
Gretchen: I’d rather beat you fair and square.
Me: Consider it a win-win. You get to be CEO, and I get to work at a company that actually gives a shit about their employees.
Gretchen: Wait, where are you working? Dad made it seem like you were just being a brat and you’d be back.
Me: Fields… I’m done with Shea. Won’t be back.
Gretchen: All over the stupid business of some woman you’re screwing around with?
Me: There’s more to it than that. For one, she’s not just some woman. I love her.
I stare at my phone, waiting for her to text back, but apparently, I’ve shocked her to the point she’s speechless. Probably for the best. My sister might be married, but they’re far from being in love. She fits in perfectly with Shea—with my dad—since the only thing she truly loves is her job and power.
“Everything okay?” Brody asks as I pocket my phone.
“Just my sister. Dad made it seem like I’m throwing a tantrum, and I’ll be back. I told her I’m done there for good.”
Brody dries his hands on the towel and throws it to the side, leaning against the counter. “I looked into buying the building from that asshole who was harassing Bree.”
“Benitez?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “Figured if I bought it, we could turn it into luxury apartments and keep Bree’s coffeehouse.”
Fuck, why didn’t I think of that? “That’s brilliant. How’d it go?”
“I think he would’ve sold it to me, but Shea has him in with a six-month no-compete contract. Shea pays him a monthly fee during that time in exchange for him agreeing not to sell the building to anyone else. If he can’t meet Shea’s stipulation of buying Bree’s lease out, Shea can walk away, and Benitez can sell it to someone else.”
“He must’ve done that shit after I left. He’ll learn soon enough it’s not happening.” I shrug. “We should put together a proposal and present it to him as a backup option before someone else does.”
“I agree. I’m having my legal department draw something up, and I’m offering him more than Shea is.” Brody pushes off the counter and walks to the edge of the kitchen to watch Bree talk animatedly with her kids. She’s laughing and smiling and looks so damn happy.
“She’s not losing that shop,” he says. “Not if we have anything to do with it.”
“Damn right,” I agree.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
AUBREE
“This is the most adorable place I’ve ever seen.” I sigh in awe, taking in the charming bed and breakfast the guys have taken me to. It looks like a cottage straight out of a fairy tale, surrounded by acres and acres of vineyards.
“C’mon,” Brody says, taking my hand in his. “Let’s get checked in. We have reservations for lunch.”
